The 45-year-old Brit made a name for himself starring in the gritty US television drug drama The Wire from 2002-2004 and won a Golden Globe in 2010 for his role as a murder detective in Luther before moving on to the big screen.

The son of a car factory worker from a working-class London neighborhood, Elba is now one of Hollywood's most sought-after stars.

He has starred in blockbusters such as Thor, Pacific Rim and Star Trek, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for playing the title role in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

Rumors swirl around Elba

Bond movie boss Barbara Broccoli reportedly told American film producer Antoine Fuqua recently that "it is time" for a non-white actor to play the suave and debonair spy, according to Britain's Daily Star.

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Elba's tweet sent his fans into a frenzy of excitement, as rumors swirled that Elba may be named to succeed Daniel Craig after the next incarnation of 007 is filmed in 2019.

But a few hours after his initial tweet, Elba sought to downplay the hoopla with another tweet, "Don't believe the HYPE…" he wrote.

Craig will return to play Bond for the fifth time next year, in an as-yet-unnamed movie directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Danny Boyle.

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It is expected to be Craig's final performance as 007, having previously starred in Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre.

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bik/rc (AP, AFP)

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